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Republican Senator Joni Ernst says President Trump has taken the right approach in trade talks with China. Ernst and Trump spoke by phone shortly after Trump threatened to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports.
Speaking to Radio Iowa, Ernst said after many months of negotiations, it’s time for a deal that will address China’s theft of intellectual property and other bad trade practices.
On another trade-related issue, Ernst is predicting the “U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement” will easily win passage in the U.S. Senate.
State incentives have been approved for a plant expansion that could create 32 new jobs in Mason City and construction of a new plant to replace plants destroyed by a tornado near Pella.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority OK'd $6 million Friday for industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturer Vermeer Corp., which is rebuilding its campus. The July 19 tornado destroyed two plants.
Most state economic development programs provide incentives for creating jobs, but emergency provisions let companies qualify for aid without creating new jobs. State documents say the incentives will "enable Vermeer to retain 406 employees who were displaced after the tornado."
